[Vision2020] Bush's Africa trip

[Tim Lohrmann]

Carl,
   My question would be, why on earth would the
Senegalese government agree to such unbelieveable
conditions for his visit?
   They didn't have to agree to any visit. I'm sure if
they had objected to any one of the conditions you
mention the whole thing would have been off. I wonder
what those in charge feel like they're going to get
out of this? I'm sure they were promised something.
    TL    
   


--- Carl Westberg <carlwestberg846@hotmail.com> wrote:
> My boss's daughter just returned from 2 years in the
> Gambia where she was in 
> the Peace Corps.  She received an e-mail from a
> Gambian friend detailing 
> President Bush's visit to Senegal.  He arrived in
> Senegal at 7:20 AM, and 
> left at 1:30 PM.  In the lead-up to his arrival,
> more than 1,500 people were 
> arrested and jailed between the preceding Thursday
> and Monday.  The U.S. 
> Army planes flew day and night over Dakar, depriving
> residents of sleep.  
> About 700 security people from the U.S. were there
> for Bush's security.  
> Senegalese security forcesa were not allowed near
> the President. All trees 
> in places where Bush would pass were cut down, some
> of these trees were over 
> 100 years old.  All roads going downtown, where
> hospitals, businesses, and 
> schools are located were closed from Monday night to
> Tuesday afternoon at 3 
> PM.  Residents could not go to their offices or
> schools.  Sick people had to 
> stay home.  National exams that were scheduled to
> start on Monday were 
> postponed until Wednesday.  There is an island
> called Goree Island that 
> faces Dakar.  From the 15th to the 19th century,
> African slaves were shipped 
> to America from this island.  One of the island
> houses is now a museum 
> designed to remind humanity of this period.  It's
> been visited by many 
> dignitaries (including Bill Clinton).  But for
> "security reasons" the local 
> population was chased out of their own homes from 5
> to 12 AM.  American 
> security forces forced them to leave their houses
> open, including their 
> wardrobes to be searched by dogs brought by U.S.
> security.  The ferry that 
> links the island to Dakar was stopped and offices
> and businesses were closed 
> for the day.  Senegal, a very poor country lost huge
> amounts of money during 
> this visit, because workers were prevented from
> leaving their homes.  King 
> George brought his own armchairs, meals and drinks. 
> Senegalese journalists 
> were forbidden from the airport and where he was
> visiting.  The Senegalese 
> president was not allowed to speak, only Bush.  The
> feeling among this 
> poster's fellow Senegalese: "We have the feeling
> that everything has been 
> done to convince us that we are nothing, and that
> America can behave the way 
> it wants, everywhere, even in our country."         
>                         
>                                                     
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>                         
>         Carl Westberg Jr.
> 
>
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